Careers and Jobs

Paul Mullan is running a LinkedIn Training Workshop on 6th November 2010. It will be held in Bewleys Airport Hotel. This workshop is suitable for active job seekers, or employees seeking to develop their Personal Brand.

Key Learning Objectives

• Learn how to create an effective and compelling profile
• Learn how to attract more traffic to your LinkedIn profile
• Learn how to enhance your reputation, and visibility, using LinkedIn tools/applications.
• Learn how to build, and manage, a quality LinkedIn network.

Additional Information & Booking – Visit www.paulmullan.ie

Linkedin Training Ireland

CV Service launched in Ireland

A brand new CV Writing website has been launched this week by a familiar face in the Careers, Outplacement & HR scene. Paul Mullan of Measurability has launched CVSOLUTIONS.IE to deliver high quality CV’s to job seekers across Ireland.

CVsolutions offers high quality CV’s tailored for the individual. They will not churn out on a production line like many other CV services.

CVsolutions is headed by Paul Mullan a leading CV expert in Ireland. Paul is CV expert with RecruitIreland and many other online jobsites. He is a career doctor with Irish Independent and regularly comments across radio and newspapers on career subjects.

CVsolutions will offer a nationwide service across Ireland – from Dublin – Waterford – Limerick – Cork – Galway & Sligo.

For more details visit CV Writing Service.

CVsolutions caters for three key levels – Graduates & Junior roles, Professionals and Executives. They work with jobseekers across all business functions and industry sectors.

CVsolutions will also include some free advice for jobseekers who want to go it alone and develop their own CV. You will find excellent CV Tips & Advice and Cover Letter Tips. There is expert opinion on CV Layout and CV Format. You will also find CV Examples, CV Samples and CV Templates.

The job section of newspapers is playing a declining role as a tool for jobseekers as much advertising goes online BUT it should not be ignored yet. I have had a quick look at the Irish Independent today and highlighted some of the interesting jobs.

The stand out role (or should that be stand up) this week is Chief Executive Officer for Smithwick’s Cat Laughs. This role will be based in Kilkenny and for more information visit www.smithwickscatlaughs.com

Education Jobs – there are quite a few teaching posts advertised with efforts by UK institutions to attract our teachers. Northfleet Technology College is seeking English, Maths and Science Teachers. For more information www.ntc.kent.sch.uk

Construction Jobs – not surprisingly most of the construction jobs are overseas. The big areas seem to be DUBAI, ABU DHABI and SAUDI ARABIA

CV Preparation – Preparation equals interviews

I keep banging on about how essential CV preparation is for career success. FACT: CV preparation will improve your chances of securing interviews. FACT: Cutting corners with your CV will equate to missed opportunities. I regularly meet jobseekers who will have every excuse for not preparing their CV properly. The usual suspects like time, money and know-how. Well let’s address these reasons.

CV Preparation – Know-How

I agree with this point in that most jobseeker do not understand CV writing or the principles behind and impact CV. There are many websites with unlimited information about designing a CV. Be careful though as much of this information serves the purpose of attracting you to the site and it is normally text book stuff and dated. I think we all know the type of information that should be on a CV such as personal details, education and work experience BUT it is CV Layout, CV Format and CV Content where jobseekers fall down. If you take one point away from this post it is to put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter when writing a CV. Identify what information they are looking for and ensure that this is evident on the 1st page of your CV. There is much more to CV preparation than this but you will find some good CV advice on this site.

How much time does it take for CV Preparation?

A skilled professional could probably knock up a CV in 2-3 hours BUT for an unskilled person it can take longer. Factors such as seniority and level of experience will impact this. Most time will be spent on CV preparation such as analysing the role you are applying for and what the client wants. Then identifying how you meet these requirements. You will then have to decide on how best to construct CV Layout and CV Format. Physically writing the CV will depend on your typing skills. Remember that one CV does not fit all jobs so preparation will be required for each job you apply for. Again once you understand the principle this should not be too time consuming.

CV Preparation – How much does it cost?

Really there are too options – “no frills” and professional. Many jobseekers prepare their own CV. The cost to them is time and effort. Once prepared they can seek feedback from a variety of free resources such as friends, family, HR professional, career guidance, FAS. Will this work? Absolutely!! Many jobseekers secure new employment through a self written CV. The other route is to source a CV expert and get professional CV support. The cost will depend on the service provider BUT it may not be as much as you think. Lets just say I went out on a night out in Dublin a few weeks back and I could have easily paid for CV preparation service.

You have all heard of the saying “you get what you pay for”. This is true when dealing with the topic of CV and CV writing. Some of the most popular keywords searched on Google are CV & FREE. We all want the best jobs and best salaries yet we are obviously not prepared to invest in our CV. Would you go to a butcher for a hernia operation? With free CV advice you have to ask yourself two questions.

(1) How much value is the free information?

From experience you will get the basic information – standard script. Is it worthwhile or any value? Well, it will help you write a CV with basic information on format, layout and content BUT the CV won’t make an impact and sell you in a tight market. I can tell you from experience most CV’s I review are sub-standard. The problem is that many jobseekers have been getting away with poor quality CV’s because of skill shortages in most sectors. As things tighten in these markets these poor CV’s will be found out.

(2) Why am I getting these free CV tips and advice?

Free is a tool to attract you to the site to sell something else. I had the experience recently where I took the option of availing of a free book from a popular life coach. Basically I was hounded for about 3 months after trying to sell me other books and seminars.

If you want a professional CV there are many CV service providers in the market including Measurability. Like anything else in life shop around, get references, samples of work before you make a decision.

Happy CV writing!!